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Jeremy Paxman's best Newsnight interviews

From Tony Blair to Russell Brand, five of the best, most cringe-inducing, most entertaining interviews from the Newsnight grand inquisitor, who steps down tonight after 25 years...

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Written By

Radio Times staff

12:02 PM, 18 June 2014

"Jeremy has led from the front: fearless, aggressive and persistent," said James Harding, the BBC's director of news and current affairs, after Paxman announced he would be leaving Newsnight after 25 years as its grand inquisitor. "The only people really celebrating his decision will be the politicians and public figures he has so often and so brilliantly held to account.”

Most of the following fall very much into that category, although Paxman's clash with Russell Brand seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by both parties...

Paxman v Home Secretary Michael Howard (1997)

From 4 minutes: “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?” “Did you threaten to overrule him?”

Paxman v Minister for the Treasury Chloe Smith (2012)

From 6 minutes 20: "You’ve come here to defend a change of policy. You can't even tell me when you were told what the change of policy was... You were told some time today, clearly – was it before lunch or after lunch?"